Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or the other characters that obviously belong to J.K. Rowling. There will be an original character that I DO own, but that is all. And I do not own the song "Cruz" by Christina Aguilera. And now, on with the story!
"I'm leavin' today
Livin' it, leavin' it to change
Slowly drifting into a peaceful breeze
Tongue tied and twisted by all my memories
Celebrating a fantasy come true
Packin' all my bags, finally on the move
I'm leavin' today
Livin' it, leavin' it to change"
"James?"
"As I'm driving, I'm captured by the view So much beauty, the road becomes my museThe heat is rising and my hand surfs through the wind
Cool, calm, collective is the child that lies within, see
I'm leavin' today
Livin' it, leavin' it to change
I'm leavin' today
Livin' it, leavin' it to change"
"James? HELLO?"
"But somehow I miss it, I think I'll really miss it one day
I turn up the radio and I feel like I've never felt before
Turn down the memories of yesteryears and broken dreams I bring
Finally free
Slowly drifting into a peaceful breeze
I'm leavin' today
Livin' it, leavin' it to change
I'm leavin' today
Livin' it, leavin' it to change
I'm leavin' today
Livin' it, leavin' it to change
But somehow I miss it, I think I'll really miss it
One day
"JAMES! WILL YOU TURN THAT BLOODY THING OFF?!"
James jumped out of the big armchair he was sitting in, startled at how loud Sirius was when he yelled. He ripped off the Muggle headphones Lily had let him borrow.
"What?" he asked.
"We're ready. Are you coming or not?" Sirius then settled down. "What are you listening to, anyway?"
James's face went red. "N-Nothing. Just something Evans let me borrow."
Sirius had a hint of laughter in his face. "Since when did she become your best friend?"
"Well, I don't know. She still hates me, I guess. But I saw her listening to this in the Great Hall and she asked if I wanted to borrow it. Don't ask me ho girls think. It would be useful if they taught that in school."
"C'mon, Prongs, we're running late. Moony and Wormtail are probably already down there. Are you sure you know the right spell?"
"Padfoot, I've been studying it for months! Just be happy Peter isn't doing it."
Sirius and James walked down the long hallways to the Room of Requirement. Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew were already waiting. The Marauders had been known for their, ahem, experiments with different spells. And this would be their biggest yet. They would go down in school history for what they were about to do.
Meanwhile…
Lily Evans lay on top of her bed, head in hands.
Her thoughts were racing.
Stupid James Potter! Why does he have to pick on people like that?
But he's not all bad. Snape is a real prick and James was just teaching him a lesson. Besides, he's kinda cute…
But, still, no one deserves all that ridiculing. He's so annoying!
Yeah, but he never hurt you. On the contrary, he asked you out…again.
Lily rolled over, her insides churning, giving her the feeling of being terribly sick. Tears formed in her bright, emerald eyes. James was sweet – to most people. He was very thoughtful and he stood up for her. He had loving friends and people just adored him.
But no. She, Lily, would hate him. And for no reason. Sometimes she would try to be nice, like when she lent him her cd player. Maybe it was an attempt to say she was sorry. Maybe not. She honestly didn't know.
She got up and stared out the window onto the Hogwarts grounds. The sun caressed the blades of grass and they glistened. Lily just stared down at them.
"Why can't I stop being a prick and just talk to James?" she said to herself.
"Lily, are you okay?"
Lily whirled around, but was relieved to find her best friend, Melissa Blaine, staring at her.
"Oh, it's just you, Mel. I'm just…in a rut."
"Is it James? Do you like him, or something?"
Lily was afraid to admit it. She kept this bottled up for so long, even from her best friend. No escaping now.
"Well, yeah, I guess. But I'm such an idiot. I can't just shut up and be nice for once. Anyway, when are you going to ask out Sirius? It's almost your deadline." Lily tried very hard to steer the conversation elsewhere.
"I still cannot believe you gave me a deadline. I'll get to it, soon, alright?! But this right now is about you and James. Why don't we go find James and talk to him. C'mon, I'll help you."
Lily went reluctantly, but knew it was right. She needed to talk to James.
As they walked through the halls, Lily kept pleading inside her mind for the place where they would find him. It was right when she thought this that a long door appeared at the end of the hallway.
Lily knew just what it was, for she had been there many times before when she needed to be alone. She opened the door.
"James?"
"Evans? What the bloody-"
But he was cut off by the loud BOOM and the blinding light that emerged from his wand.
A/N: How do you like it so far? I will update as soon as possible – as long as I get some reviews. PLEASE R/R!!!